Control device for association with an automatic progression mechanism for repetitive image production



1951 A R. KILMINSTER I 2,537,353

CONTROL DEVICE FOR ASSOCIATION WITH AN AUTOMATIC FROGRESSION MECHANISMFOR REPETITIVE IMAGE PRODUCTION Filed June 17, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 gyZ Attorney J 951 A. R. KILMINSTER CONTROL DEVICE FOR ASSOCIATION WITHAN AUTOMATIC FROGRESSION MECHANISM FOR REPETITIVE IMAGE PRODUCTION 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 17, 1949 F/GS.

A tiorney 1951 A. R. KILMINSTER 2,537,353

CONTROL DEVICE FOR ASSOCIATION WITH AN AUTOMATIC PROGRESSION MECHANISMFOR REPETITIVE IMAGE PRODUCTION Filed June 17, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 v II nven tor /4r'Z/:24/Z 4 5237: ckJZer By I r V Attorney CONTROL DEVICEFOR ASSOCIATION WITH AN AUTOMATIC PROGRESSION MECHANISM FOR REPETITIVEIMAGE PRODUCTION Jan. 9, 1951 A R. KlLMlN STER 2,537,353

Filed June 17, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Attorney contact L3.

The operation ofthe complete device will now be described with referenceto Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings for the control of a .step andrepeat machine of the kind illustrated and described with reference toFigure 1.

Assuming that the bed I and the .negative carrying unit It arepositioned somewhere before the first exposure position as determined bythe insulating strip, then when the master switch SI is placed in the Onposition and the starting button 82 is pressed a low tension transformerenergizes a relay A via the switch S3 associated with the control drum22 or 23. The contacts on the relay A are in parallel with the startingbutton S2 thus when the button is released the circuit remains closed.At the same time a relay L is energised via contact J4 and is locked bycontact LI via contact M2, relay-O is energised by switch S5 associatedwith the motor I8, and a relay T is energised and locked by contact TIvia contact H3.

Power is now available for the motors I6 and H which traverse the bed Iand negative carrying unit it until the position for the first exposureas predetermined by the appropriate apertures in the insulating stripson control drums 22, .23 is reached. When this position is reached anelectrical contact to earth is made through the apertures in theinsulating bands by the contacts 3| and Sia respectively. This actuateshigh speed relays C and B but due to the momentum of the motors It andill the exposure position is overshot. However relays C and B remainenergised by the closing of the locking contacts CI and BI. The closingof the contacts CI and BI energises the reversing switches E and D andbrings into operation speed control devices by the de-energisation ofthe solenoids G and F; these speed control devices being of the kinddescribed with reference to Figure 5 wherein the solenoid is designated41. At the same time contacts C2 and 282 open and place resistances C4,B4 in series with the armatures of the motors I6 and H to preventover-heating. The motors L6 and 11 thus traverse the bed -'I andnegative carrying unit It in a reverse direction to the correct exposureposition at a reduced speed. When the exposure position is again reachedrelays J and H are operated. These relays had not operated when thecontact SI was previously passing over the aperture in the insulatingstrip due to the fact that they require a comparatively long-timeconstant,

The operation of the relays J and H open the contacts J2 and HI,breaking the circuit to the motors I6 and I! through the control drums22 and 23 immediately and at the same time open the contacts Jl' and H2to release the relays C and B, thereby returning the reversing relays Eand D to their original positions and energising the solenoids G and Fto release the speed-control devices through contacts C3 and B3. Theclosing of contact J 5 energises the relay K via the Relay K forms onehalf of a twoway switch for the motor I8 the other half bein formed bythe relay N. The closing of the contact'KI completes the circuit to themotor I8 via contacts J 3 and H4 which opens the switch S5 tode-energise relay 0 and thus open the contact 02. This breaks thecircuit to the motors I6 and I1, thus it is impossible for these motorsto operate whilst the motor I8 is operating.

When the negative unit I0 is in contact with the bed i the switch S6 ismomentarily closed thus energising the relay P which is locked by the 6contact P1. The closing or the contact P2 initiates the followingoperations:

Relay N is energised breaking the circuit to the motor I8, relay Q isenergised via contact NI which is a reversing switch for the motor I8. Atiming unit 52 which is preferably of the photoelectric integrating typeis switched on via the contact L2. This timing unit 52 controls the 7heavy duty switch 53 for an arc-lamp located in the lamp unit I2 andalso energises the relay M. The opening of the-contact M2 releases therelay .L whilst the closing of the contact .lVII prevents the relay Kbeing released when contact L3 opens. At the end of the exposure, asdetermined by the timing-device 52, the arc-lamp is switch off andtherelay M is released. The opening of the contact MI releases the relayK thus the motor I8 is operated in reverse via the contacts K2 and N2 tomove the negative unit In away from the bed I. When the contact betweenthe negative unit I 0 and the bed I is removed the switch S5 is againclosed energising relay 0. The opening of the contacts OI releases relayP which in turn releases relay N breaking the circuit to the motor I8and releasing the reversing relay Q. The

making of the contact 02 has meanwhile completed an alternative circuitfor the motor I6 via the contact L4. The motor I6 is therefore operatedand relay J is :de-energised as the exposure position is passed. Closureof the contact J4 again energises relay L. The circuit to the motor I6is therefore broken via the contact L4 but at the same time is made bythe closing of the contact J2.

The foregoing completes the sequence of operations for the firstexposure position and all relays and switches have returned to theirinitial positions. The motor 16 now traverses the .bed I to the secondexposure position and the above sequence of operations is repeated. Thissequence of operations is continued until a complete row of exposureshas been made, whereupon further operations are initiated as follows:

TheswitchSd associated with the control drum 22 is operated by the bedhaving reached the native circuit for the motor ITI via the contacts RIand T2. When the motor I! operates the relay H is released opening thecontact H3 thereby releasing the relay T and breaking the alternativecircuit. The basic circuit for the motor .I] is now completed howevervia the contact .HI and the motor Il traverses the negative unit it tothe second position as determined by the insulating strip on the drum.23. Meanwhile the motor I6 when it has completed its traverse in thereverse direction returns the switch S4 to its original position andcommences .its forward travel ready to start a second row of exposures.The operations of the relays R. and. T in conjunction with the switch S4ensure that the drum .23 effects only one move for every row completedby the .drum 22. On a completion .of all the rows as determined by theinsulating strips, the drum 23' causes the position of the switch S3 tobe changed to de-energise the relay A thereby openingthe main switch.The mechanism is thus S'I may be connected across the contactsoi the--'relay A to give an audible warning of. the completion of all theexposures.

A counting mechanism 55 is connected across the timing unit 52 to recordthe number of exposures made; this counting mechanism also incorporatesan optional automatic stop controlled by the switch S8, whereby thecontrol unit will switch oIT automatically after any predeterminednumber of exposures. This provision is provided for by a contact toearth or ground on the appropriate exposure which short-circuits thecoil on the relay A thus opening the master switch Si.

If it is not desired to use full automatic control a switch S9 can beset so as to admit of the exposure positions being positioned manuallyby means of the hand-wheels IQ and 20. In this position of the switchS9, on pressing the starting button S2 the motor [8 lowers the frame tomove the negative carrying unit l into contact with the bed, switches onthe arc lamp in the unit 12 for the required exposure, switches off andremoves the contact between the negative unit and the bed and thenswitches ofi automatically ready for the manual setting of the nextexposure position.

The plug 56 connecting the motor l6 and control drum 22 to the controlunit in the housing 58 is interchangeable with the plug 51 for the motor11 and control drum 23 so that the rows of exposures can be made in themost advantageous direction according to the work.

What I claim is:

1. For a machine for repetitive image production, a control device toeffect automatic progression of a traversable carrier unit to successivepredetermined positions, the control device comprising an electric motoroperatively connected to the unit to effect traversing of the carrierunit, a control drum having an electrically conductive peripheralsurface and being mounted for operative connection and synchronousrotation with said motor, an electrical contact movable in timed.relation with said drum in a path across the drum parallel to the axisthereof, an

electrical control unit electrically connected to said contact incircuit with the motor to control the operation and direction ofrotation of the motor, a strip of insulating material in which aperturesare formed in predetermined spaced relation, andmeans to secure thestriparound the periphery of said drum to receive the contact to determinethe intervals at which contact is effected between the contact and theperipheral surface of the drum.

2. In a machine for repetitive image production, a control device toeffect automatic progression or a traversable carrier unit, said controldevice comprising an electric motor operatively connected to the unit tocause traverse of the carrier unit, an electrical control unitoperatively connected in circuit with the motor and including adelayed-action relay to control the motor for alternate rotation in aforward and a reverse direction, a speed control device operativelyconnected to the motor in said circuit to restrict the speed of themotor during rotation in a reverse direction, a control drum operativelyconnected to and rotatabl synchronously with the motor and having anelectrically conductive peripheral surface, an electrical contactelectrically connected with said control unit and movable in timedrelation with the control drum in a path across the drum parallel to theaxis thereof, means operable from the 1 motor in timed relation with thecontrol drum,

to move the contact along said path, a strip of insulating material inwhich apertures are formed in predetermined spaced relation and meansfor securing said strip around the periphery of said control drum forreceiving the contact through the apertures thereof and determining theintervals at which contact is effected between the contact and the drum,said contact adapted to overshoot the apertures after making contactwith the drum to reverse the motor, whereby the carrier unit is movedquickly to a position slightly in advance of a predetermined positlonand is slowly returned to the predetermined position.

3. In a machine for repetitive image production, a control device toeffect automatic progression of a traversable carrier unit, said controldevice comprising an electric motor operatively connected to the unit totraverse the carrier unit, a rotatable shaft operatively connected tothe motor and unit to impart movement to the carrier unit, an electricalcontrol unit in circuit with the motor and including a delayedactionrelay to control the motor for alternate rotation in a forward and areverse direction, a speed control device for the motor to restrict thespeed of the motor during rotation in a reverse direction, a controldrum rotatable from and synchronously with the motor and having anelectrically conductive peripheral surface, clutch means in the circuitand operative upon reversal of the motor to clutch the drum to saidshaft, an electrical contact electrically connected with said controlunit and movable in timed relation with the control drum in a pathacross thedrum parallel to the axis thereof, means cperable in timedrelation with the control drum to move the contact along said path, anda strip of insulating material secured round the periphery of saidcontrol drum and in which apertures are formed in predetermined spacedrelation to receive the contact therethrough for determining theintervals at which contact is effected between the contact and the drumto reverse the motor, whereby the carrier unit is moved quickly by themotor to a position slightly in advance of a predetermined position andis slowly returned to the predetermined position.

4. In a machine for repetitive imag production, a control device toeffect automatic progression of a traversable carrier unit, said controldevice comprising an electric motor operatively connected to the unit totraverse the carrier unit, an electrical control unit in circuit withthe motor, including a delayed-action relay to control the motor forcausing alternate rotation thereof in a forward and a reverse direction,a speed control device for the motor to restrict the speed of the motorduring rotation in a reverse direction, a control drum rotatablesynchronously from and with the motor and 1 having an electricallyconductive peripheral surface, an electrical contact electricallyconnected I with said control unit and movable in timed re- '75 tact iseffected between the contact and the predetermined positions.

Patented Jan. 9, i951 ooNrRot DEVICE FORJASSOCIATION .wlrrn AN AUTQMATICPROGRESSION MECHA- NISM FOR V-REPETITIVE IMAGE PRODUC- ArthuriR.Kilminster, Birmingham, England, as-

signor to Hunter-Penrose Limited, London, .England, a British companyApplication June 17, 1949,SerialNo.'99,766

In Great Britain June'30, 1948 13 "Claims. 1

This invention has reference to a control de- =vicefor association withan automatic progression mechanism for repetitive image production andmore particularly to a control device for rendering the operation ofwhat is known as a photographic or photo-lithographic step and repeatmachine automatic, such machines being utilised -'for the repetitivephotographic printing of a photographic negative in predetermined spacedrelationship on a sensitized plate which is subsequently developedand/or etched.

The object of the present invention istoprovide acontrol device whichrenders the operation of the step and repeat machine automatic andpositions to a high degree of accuracy any number of prints of oneormore photographic negatives or positives on to thelsensitized plate inany The invention-consists of a control device fo effecting automaticprogression of a traversable carrier unit to successive predeterminedpositions for association with a machine for repetitive imageproduction, the control device comprising 'an electric motor to effecttraversing'of the carrier unit, operation of the motor being'd'etermined'by a=control drum rotatable synchronously therewith andhaving an electrically conductive peripheral surface, in associationwith an elec- .trical control unit electrically connected to anelectrical contact movable in timed relation with the drum in a pathparallel to the axis thereof, the control drum being adapted to havesecured round its periphery alstrip of insulating material in whichapertures "are formed in'predetermined-spaced relation for determiningthe intervals'at which'contactiseffected be'tweenthe contact and theperipheral surface of the drum.

The invention will now be described with particular reference to theaccompanying diagrammatic drawings inwhich:

Figure 1 isa general perspective view of a step andrepeat machineincorporating a controldevice in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 52 is a part sectional plan of a control drum and associatedtraversable contact,

Figure 3 is a sectional end elevation of the traversable contact as seenfrom the left of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an end sectional view through a portion of the drum showingone means whereby the insulating band maybe secured to the periphcry ofthe drum. 7

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the speed limiting device.

Figure6 isa'perspective View of a controldrum 2 showing an *insulatingstrip in position around the periphery thereof.

Figure 7 is a view of a part of an insulating strip before attachment tothe drum.

-Figures is-a'wiring diagram for use in association with the controlmechanism.

In Figure -1-there is shown aknown-form of step and repeatinachinewherein there is provided a bed l for carrying -a sensitized plate, said'bed "being traversable horizontall in one direction on the fixed irame'8 through the agency of a worm screw 9,-co-'operating with acaptive'nut,

nut ShOWlLOlfl the bed. {Superimposed-above the bed i is a negativecarrying unit 10 which is traversable in guides ll together with thelamp unit I 2 in a horizontal direction at right angles to the directionof traverse or the' bed l, by means of a wormscrew l3 in-amanner'similar to bed I as by a .cap'ti-venu't, not shown,-theguides Il'being -mounte'cl 'uponea framework l which is movable verti'ca'lly-'by means of a worm screw or-screws [5 to admit of the unit "-lil beingmoved into contact with the bed I. invention "the worm screws :9, 13 and[5 respectively are rotatable independently by "means of electric'motors15,11 and "l8, Figure 8,' and are provided with hand wheels 19, 2t and21 whereby manual rotation of the respective worm scr'ews may beperformed. On one end of each of the worm screws 9 and i3 is mountedracontrol drum 22 and 23 respectively which drums .are exactly similarand' will therefore only be'described with reference to "thecontrol drum2 2 which is shown more' particularly in Figures 2, -3 and 4.

In Figure 2 the control drum "22 (has an electrically con'ductiv'eperipheral surface, is shown freely rotatable upon an extension 22a ofthe worm screw 9 and is capable of being locked thereto by means of ascrew pin 24 located in the hand wheel 19 which is fast-on the extensionmesh with a pinion 26 fast upona worm screw 2! journalled in a framemember 28. The worm screw 2! meshes with a traversable carriage 29carrying aspring loaded rocker arm 3|] having an electrical "contactshown as a roller 3! which is spring urged against the periphery of thedrum by means of the spring =32, Figure 3. A worm screw sii in mesh witha worm wheel 34 fast on the extension 22a transmits "the drive from theelectric motor l'Gto the worm screw 9. Thedrum i-22 is provided with'alongitudinal peripheral'sot "35, Figures 4 and-6,ad'jace'nt which areinturned flanges 36 in which are formedapertures for recivin'g'the hookends of spring loaded rocker According to the present The drum 22carries a spur pinion "25 in drum, and locking means disposed withinsaiddrum to engage through locating apertures in the end portions of aninsulated strip to secure it in position round the periphery of saiddrum, whereby under the action of the motor, the carrier unit is movedquickly to a position slightly in advance of a predetermined positionand upon engagement ofthe contact with the drum, the motor is reversedand the carrier unit is slowly returned to the predetermined position.

5. In a machine for repetitive image production in which two carrierunits are traversable in directions normal one to the other, a controldevice toeffect the automatic progression of the carrier units topredetermined positions, the control device comprising two electricmotors, each operatively connected to a unit to effect traversingthereof, an electrical control unit including a delayed-action relay incircuit with and to control the motors for rotation in forward andreverse directions, a speed control device for each motor to restrictthe speed thereof during its rotation in a reverse direction, twocontrol drums associated one with each said motor for synchronousrotation therewith, each said drum having an electrically conductiveperipheral surface, an electrical contact for each said drum, eachcontact being electrically connected with said control unit and movablein timed relation with its associated drum in a path across its drumparallel with the axis thereof, means operable' in timed relation witheach drum to move the contact associated therewith along said path, astrip of insulating material in which apertures are formed inpredetermined spaced relation to determine the intervals at which contact is efiected between the'contact and the drum, and means on eachsaid drum to secure a strip round the periphery thereof, whereby thecarrier units are traversed in predetermined order and each is movedquickly by a motor under its momentum to a position slightly in advanceof a predetermined position and upon reversal of its motor is slowlyreturned to the predetermined position.

6. In a machine for repetitive image production, a first carrier unitfor a sensitized plate, a second carrier unit traversable in a pathnormal to that of said first carrier unit and arranged to support animage to be reproduced on a sensitized plate on said first carrier unittogether with a lamp for effecting image reproduction, a frame for saidsecond carrier unit mounted for reciprocation to effect movement of thesecond carrier unit towards and away from the first carrier unit, afirst and a second electric motor, one for each carrier unit to effecttraversing thereof and a third electric motor for said frame to effectreciprocation thereof, an electrical control unit in circuit with themotors including a delayed-action relay to control the motors forrotation in forward and reverse directions, a speed control device foreach said first and second motors to restrict the speed thereof duringmovement in a reverse direction, two control drums associated one, witheach said first and second motors for synchronous rotation therewith,each said drum having an electrically conductive peripheral surface, anelectrical contact for each said drum, each contact being electricallyconnected with said control unit and movable in timed relation with itsassociated drum in apath across its drum parallel with the axis thereof,means operable from a motor in timed relation with each drum to move thecontact associated therewith along said path, a strip of insulatingmaterial in which apertures are formed in predetermined spaced relation,means on each said drum to secure said strip around the peripherythereof to determine the intervals at which contact is effected betweenthe contact and the drum, and means in said control unit electricallyconnected to said third motor to effect operation thereof in timedrelation with said first motor, whereby the carrier units are traversedin predetermined order and each is moved quickly to a position slightlyin advance of a predetermined position due to the momentum of therespective motor and is reversed by its contact engaging a drum throughan aperture and is slowly returned to the predetermined position and theframe is movable under the action of its motor at predeterminedintervals to move an image carried by the second carrier unit into andout of engagement with a sensitized plate carried by the first carrierunit.

'7. In a machine for repetitive image production, a first carrier unitfor a sensitized plate, a second carrier unit traversable in a pathnormal to that of said first carrier unit and arranged to support animage to be reproduced on a sensitized plate on said first carrier unittogether with a lamp for effecting image reproduction, a frame for saidsecond carrier unit mounted for reciprocation to effect movement of thesecond carrier unit towards and away from the first carrier unit, afirst and a second electric motor, one for each carrier unit inoperative connection therewith to effect traversing thereof and a thirdelectric motor for saidframe in operative connection therewith to effectreciprocation thereof, an electrical control unit in circuit with themotors including a delayed-action relay to control the motors forrotation in forward and reverse directions, a speed control device foreach said first and second motors to restrict the speed thereof duringmovement in a reverse direction, two control drums associated one witheach said first and second motors for synchronous rotation therewith,each said drum having an electrically conductive peripheral surface, anelectrical contact for each said drum, each contact being electricallyconnected with said control unit and movable in timed relation with itsassociated drum in a path across its drum parallel with the axisthereof, means operable in timed relation with each drum to move thecontact associated therewith along said path, a strip of insulatingmaterial in which apertures are formed in predetermined spaced relation,means on each said drum to secure a strip around the periphery thereofto receive a contact through an aperture to determine the intervals atwhich contact is effected between the contact and the drum to reverseits motor, and means in said control unit electrically connected to saidthird motor to effect operation thereof in timed relation with saidfirst motor, whereby the carrier units are traversed in predeterminedorder and each is moved quickly to a position slightly in advance of apredetermined position by overrunning of its motor and contact withrespect to an aperture and on reversal of its motor is slowly returnedto the predetermined position and the frame is movable at predeterminedintervals under the action of its motor to move an image carried by thesecond.

and duration of the illumination provided by the lamp,

8. In a machine for repetitive image production, a first carrier unitfor a sensitized plate, a second carrier unit traversable in a pathnormal to that of said first carrier unit and arranged to support animage to be reproduced on a sensitized plate on said first carrier unittogether with a lamp for effecting image reproduction, a frame for saidsecond carrier unit mounted for reciprocation to efiect movement of thesecond carrier unit towards and away from the first carrier unit, afirst and second electric motor, one for and operatively connected toeach carrier unit to effect traversing thereof and a third electricmotor for and operatively connected to said frame to effectreciprocation thereof, an electrical control unit in circuit with themotors including a delayed-action relay to control the motors forrotation in forward and reverse directions, a speed control device forand operatively connected to each said first and second motors torestrict the speed thereof during movement in a reverse direction, twocontrol drums associated one with each said first and second motors forsynchronous rotation therewith, each said drum having an electricallyconductive peripheral surface, an electrical contact for each said drum,each contact being electrically connected with said control unit andmovable in timed relation with its associated drum in a path across itsdrum parallel with the axis thereof, means operable in timed relationwith each drum to move the contact associated therewith along said path,a strip of insulating material in which apertures are formed inpredetermined spaced relation, means on each said drum to secure a stripround the periphery thereof for passage of a contact through theaperture to determine the intervals at which contact is effected betweenthe contact and the drum, and means in said control unit electricallyconnected to said third motor to effect operation thereof in timedrelation with said first motor, whereby the carrier units are traversedin predetermined order and each is moved by its motor quickly to aposition slightly in advance of a predetermined position and uponreversal of its motor is slowly returned to the predetermined positionand the frame is moved by its motor at predetermined intervals to movean image carried by the second carrier unit into and out of engagementwith a sensitized plate carried by the first carrier unit, means in saidcontrol unit electrically connected with said lamp to determine theperiods and duration of the illumination provided by the lamp, signalmeans electrically connected to the control unit to give an indicationof the end of a predetermined cycle of image reproductions, and means inthe control unit to actuate said signal means.

9. In a machine for repetitive image production, a first carrier unitfor a sensitized plate, a second carrier unit traversable in a pathnormal to that of said first carrier unit and arranged to support animage to be reproduced on a sensitized plate on said first carrier unittogether with a lamp for effecting image reproduction, a frame for saidsecond carrier unit mounted for reciprocation to effect movement of thesecond car rier unit towards and away from the first carrier unit, afirst and second electric motor, one for each carrier unit to effecttraversing thereof and a third electric motor for said frame to effectreciprocation thereof, an electrical control unit in an electricalcircuit including a delayed-a,(;tionv relay to control the motors forrotation in for ward and reverse directions, a speed control device forand operatively connected to each said first and second motors torestrict the speed thereof during movement in a reverse direction, twocontrol drums associated one with each said first andsecond motors forsynchronous rotation therewith, each said drum having an electricallyconductive peripheral surface, an electrical contact for each said drum,each contact being electrically connected with said control unit andmovable in timed relation with its associated drum in a path across adrum parallel with the axis thereof, means operable in timed relationwith each drum to move the contact associated therewith along said path,a strip of insulating material in which apertures are formed inpredetermined spaced relation, a slot extending lengthwise of each control drum to receive the ends of a strip, said apertures adapted toregister with a contact for engagement of the latter with a drum surfaceto determine the intervals at which contact is effected between thecontact and the drum to reverse its motor, lockin means disposed withinsaid drum to engage through locating apertures in the end portions of aninsulated strip to secure it in position round the periphery of saiddrum, and means in said control unit electrically con nected to saidthird motor to effect operation thereof in timed relation with saidfirst motor, whereby the carrier units are traversed by their motors inpredetermined order and by continued operation of the motors with theircontacts passing an aperture, each is moved quickly to a positionslightly in advance of a predetermined position and by reversal of itsmotor by engagement of a contact with its drum is slowly returned to thepredetermined position and the frame is movable at predeterminedintervals to move an image carried by the second carrier unit into andout of engagement with a sensitized plate carried by the first carrierunit.

10. In a machine for repetitive image production, a first carrier unitfor a sensitized plate, a second carrier unit traversable in a pathnormal to that of said first carrier unit and arranged to support animage to be reproduced on a sensitized plate on said first carrier unittogether with a lamp for effecting image reproduction, a frame for saidsecond carrier unit mounted for reciprocation to effect movement ofthesecond carrier unit towards and away from the first carrier unit, areversible first and a second electric motor, one for and operativelyconnected to each carrier unit to effect traversing thereof and areversible third electric motor for and operatively connected to saidframe to effect reciprocation thereof, an electrical control unitincludin a delayed-action relay in circuit with the motors to controlthe motors for rotation in forward and reverse directions, a speedcontrol device for and operatively con nected to each said first andsecond motors to restrict the speed thereof during movement in a reversedirection, two control drums associated one with and driven from eachsaid first and second motors for synchronous rotation therewith, eachsaid drum having an electricall conductive peripheral surface, anelectrical contact for each said drum, each contact being electricallycon-' nected with said control unit and movable from and in timedrelation with its associated drum in a path across a drum parallel withthe axis thereof, means associated with and operable in timed relationwith each drum to move the contact associated therewith along said path,a strip of in-i sulating material in which apertures are formed inpredetermined spaced relation, each drum having a slot extendinglengthwise thereof to receive the ends of a strip, locking meansdisposed within said drum to engage through locating apertures in theend portions of an insulated strip to secure it in position round theperiphery of said drum, the location of said apertures serving todetermine the intervals at which contact is efiected between the contactand the drum, and means in said control unit electrically'connected tosaid third motor to effect operation thereof in timed relation with saidfirst motor, whereby the carrier units are traversed in predeterminedorder and each is moved quickly to a position slightly in advance of apredetermined position by overrunning of its motor and passing of itscontact with respect to an aperture and by reversal of its motor byengagement of its contact with its drum at an aperture before passingsame, is slowly returned to the predetermined position and the frameunder the action of its motor is movable at predetermined intervals tomove an image carried by the second carrier unit into and out ofengagement with a sensitized plate carried by the first carrier unit,and means in said control unit electrically connected with said lamp todetermine the periods and duration of the illumination provided by thelamp.

11. In a machine for repetitive image production in which two carrierunits are traversable in directions normal one to the other, a controldevice to efiect the automatic progression of the carrier units topredetermined positions, the control device comprising two electricmotors, one for and operatively connected to each carrier unit, toeffect traversin thereof, an electrical control unit in an electriccircuit with the motors including a delayed-action relay to control themotors for rotation in forward and reverse directions, a speed controldevice for and in operative connection with each motor to restrict thespeed thereof during its rotation in a reverse direction, two controldrums associated one with each said mtor for synchronous rotationtherewith, each said drum having an electrically conductive peripheralsurface, an electrical contact for each said drum, each contact beingelectrically connected with said control unit and movable in timedrelation with its associated drum in a path across a drum parallel withthe axis thereof, means operable by a motor in timed relation with eachdrum to move the contact associated therewith along said path, anapertured insulating strip for each drum, the apertures in each stripbeing so predisposed lengthwise and laterally of the strip that onsecuring the strip round the periphery of a drum theapertures lie onaspiral line as traced round the periphery of the drum by said contactduring rotation of the drum and movement of the contact along its pathso that the contact is permitted successively to enter apertures in thestrip at predetermined intervals, and means to retain said strip inposition round the periphery of the drum, whereby upon sequentialoperation of the motors in the circuit, the carrier units are traversedin predetermined order and by overrunnin'g of its motor, each is movedquickly to a position slightly in advance of a predetermined positionand is slowly returned to the predetermined position by reversing of itsmotor by engagement of a contact with its associated drum at anaperture.

12. In a machine for repetitive image production, a first carrier unitfor a sensitized plate, a

second carrier unit traversable in a path normal to that of said'firstcarrier unit and arranged to for said second carrier unit mounted forreciprow cation to effect movement of the second carrier unit towardsand away from the first carrier unit,

an electrical circuit, a first and a second electric motor, one for eachcarrier unit to effect traversing thereof and a third electric motor forsaid frame to effect reciprocation thereof, an electrical control unitin circuit with said motors including a delayed-action relay to controlthe motors for rotation in forward and reverse directions, a speedcontrol device for and operatively connectable to each said first andsecond motors to restrict the speed thereof during movement in a reversedirection, two control drums associated one with each said first andsecond motors for synchronous rotation therewith, each said drum havingan electrically conductive peripheral surface, an electrical contact foreach said drum, each contact being electrically connected with saidcontrol unit and movable in timed relation with its associated drum in apath across a drum parallel with the axis thereof, means operable by ashaft in timed relation with each drum to move the contact associatedtherewith along said path, an apertured insulating strip for each drum,the apertures in each strip being so predisposed lengthwise andlaterally of the strip that on securing the strip round the periphery ofa drum the apertures lie on a spiral line as traced round the peripheryof the drum by said contact during rotation of the drum and movement ofthe contact along its path so that the contact is permitted successivelyto enter apertures in the strip at predetermined intervals to engage adrum and successively cause reversal and stopping of its motor, means toretain said strip in position round the periphery of the drum, and meansin 7 said control unit electrically connected to said third motor toeifect operation thereof in timed relation with said first motor,whereby the carrier units are traversed in predetermined order and eachis moved by its motor quickly to a position slightly in advance of apredetermined position and upon reversal of its motor is slowly returnedto the predetermined position and the,

frame is movable at predetermined intervals under control of its motorto move an image carried by the second carrier unit into and out ofengagement with a sensitized plate carried by the first carrier unit.

13. In a machine for repetitive image production having a traversablesensitized plate carrying bed unit, a negative carrying unit having alamp unit and traversable overvthe bed in a direction intersecting thedirection of traverse of the bed and toward and away from the bed, anelectrical control device to effect the automatic progression of the bedand unit to predetermined positions relatively, said control devicecomprising electrical drive means one operatively connected to each unitto cause traversing thereof relatively and another to cause movement ofthe second unit and its lamp toward and away from the bed unit, anelectrical control unit in an electrical circuit with the drive meansand lamp and including a delayed-action relay to control the drive meansindependently in timed relation and to cause operation thereof inforward and reverse directions, a speed control device in the circuitfor each drive means to reduce the speed thereof in the reversedirection, a control drum for each unit associated one with each drivemeans for synchronous rotation therewith and each having an electricallyconductive peripheral surface, an electrical contact movable across eachdrum and connected in normally open circuit with the driving means andspeed control device for reversing the drive means, a strip of insulatedmaterial removably mounted around each drum and .having spirallysuccessive apertures in predetermined spaced relation, and means tocause said contacts to engage a drum surface when passed by an apertureduring rotation of a drum to close the circuit to the speed control andreversing means to reverse the drive means and subsequently stop same,whereby the drums are disposed with a contact through an aperture andthe units are traversed in timed relation relatively in predeterminedorder under the action of its drive 16 means and moved from positionsslightly in advance of predetermined positions slowly to thepredetermined positions in sequence upon reversal of the drive means toaccurately position said units, and plate and negative thereon for eX-posure successively.

ARTHUR R. KILMINSTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,336,989 Stanley Apr. 13, 19202,200,365 Nickeleberg May 14, 1940 2,121,061 Townsend June 21, 19382,440,906 Metzger May 4, 948

